Brush device for dispensing liquid material by using plunger means

ABSTRACT

Brush device which dispenses fluid material such as toothpaste or paint is equipped with a dispenser and brush. The dispenser comprises a liquid material container and a plunger therein which is manually actuated to pressure out the liquid material from the container. The brush body is detachably connected to a liquid material container using a screw mate and elongated hub engagement. The material is pressured by the plunger to enter into a series of conduits incorporated into a body of the brush and, through the openings of the head of the brush, finally pushed out to the bristles of the brush. When the fluid in the container is completely used up, the dispenser is reloaded with new fluid by sliding a plunger of the dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a brush. More specifically, the present invention relates to brush that provides fluid material such as toothpaste or paint to the bristles from a liquid container directly connected to the brush.

II. Description of the Related Art

There have been also proposed other various kinds of combination of a toothbrush and a toothpaste container. However, they are impractical in that they have complicated structure for toothbrush and thus, the use of such container increases the overall expense associated with oral hygiene. The prior proposals also do not take into account the fact that after the toothpaste has been completely consumed, it is very difficult for user to clean the toothpaste container and recharge it with a fresh supply of toothpaste. Those proposals are potentially messy during dispensing and reloading toothpaste because they are adapting a squeeze ball or thread directly contacting toothpaste. They are also unsanitary as a result of a toothpaste build-up therein and the inner components.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,207 Konraqd et all discloses a disposable toothpaste container for use with a toothbrush. However, many disadvantages are present in this combination. For example, the container is disposal element intended for one-time usage. Since a threaded pin is extending generally axially together with paste within the chamber, it is not sanitary. Moreover, a piston threadedly connected to the pin makes its movement too slow and it cannot clean the brush after completion of toothpaste. The joint section between the container and brush stem is by screw engagement, but it is too weak and easily broken or deformed even with a normal operational pressure, especially when it is used by children users.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved brush device overcoming the disadvantages of the prior arts by providing a dispenser which is more sanitary, structurally robust, easily reloaded and dispensable, and cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A novel and improved brush device for dispensing fluid material is described. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a brush device comprises a dispenser forming a liquid-containing container and pressing out the fluid material within the container by sliding a plunger therein, the dispenser having a external screw threaded collar and a elongated hub at and toward the opposite side of the plunger; a brush including a brush body and a bristle-carrying brush head formed integrally with the brush body; and a channel delivering the fluid material from the container to the bristles, the channel formed axially extending through the external screw threaded collar and elongated hub of the dispenser, the brush body and head, and outlet opening toward the region of the bristles formed within the brush head. The part of the channel formed in the brush body includes internal screw threads and a cylindrical conduit. Further, the internal screw threads are adapted to mate with the external screw threaded collar. Further, the cylindrical conduit substantially fits with the diameter of the elongated hub. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the brush is a toothbrush and the fluid material is toothpaste. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the brush is a paint brush and the fluid material is paint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a toothbrush device cover according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a dispenser part of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a ejecting section of a dispenser of a toothbrush device with partly sectional view according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing reloading toothpaste from a conventional toothpaste tube into a container of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a brush part of a toothbrush device with partly sectional view according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a brush part of a paint brush device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A toothbrush device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. A toothbrush device 10 comprises a dispenser part 11 and a toothbrush part 12 which are detachably connected. The dispenser 11 includes loaded toothpaste 14, but it could be any other liquid material such as paint, oil, liquid medication, or water in connection with specific usage of the brush. The dispenser 11 comprises a plunger 13 and a container 18. The plunger 13 is used for pressing toothpaste 14 within the container 18 in order to eject it. Once the dispenser 11 is detached from the toothbrush 12, the plunger 13 is also used for reloading toothpaste 14 from a separate toothpaste tube into the container 18 when it is needed to recharge toothpaste, as will be described with regard to FIG. 5. The plunger 13 is also used to clean the toothbrush 12 with water or detergent as liquid material. The brush part 12 comprises a tubular brush body 15 a, brush neck 15 b, and brush head 15 c at one end thereof. The head 15 c carries rows of bristles 17. From the end of the container 18 extending through the brush part 12 is a channel 19 which communicates via openings 16 in the brush head 15 c with the bristle area 17.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a toothbrush device cover 20 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cover 20 comprises an upper cover cap 21 and lower cover cap 22. The joint section 23 can be configured according to conventional engagement methods such as screw threaded mate, friction engagement, or annular groove and protrusions.

A dispenser part 11 of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. The dispenser 11 forms a liquid-containing container such as toothpaste 14. The plunger 13 is pushed and slid into the container 18 imposing pressure on the toothpaste 14 within a container 18. The dispenser 11 has an external screw threaded collar 37 and an elongated hub 38 at the opposite side of the plunger 13. The plunger 13 has a guiding disk 32 and rod 33 having a plurality of ribs thereon. The plunger head disk 34 has an annular groove 35 which have a rubber ring (not shown) to create a tight seal against the container inner wall. A channel delivering the toothpaste from the bottom of the container 18 to the bristles of the brush is formed extending through the screw threaded collar 37 and elongated hub 38, which will be disclosed in more detail with regard to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an ejecting section of a dispenser of a toothbrush device with partly sectional view according to one embodiment of the present invention. At the rear end of the container 18, an external screw thread collar 37 and an elongated hub 38 are provided. A channel 19 is formed from the end of the container 18 extending through the screw threaded collar 37 and elongated hub 38. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the length of the elongated hub 38 is about one or two centimeters. As will be described in more detail with regard to FIGS. 6 to 8, the external threaded collar 37 is adapted to mate with the internal screw threads 62 of the brush 12. For tighter sealing from leakage of toothpaste, a rubber rings may be interposed between the container 18 and the bottom face 61 of brush, which is well known to the person skilled in the art. The diameter of the elongated hub 38 is substantially the same as the diameter of the cylindrical conduit 72 of the brush. This will prevent the leakage of toothpaste which pasts the channel 19. Moreover, this will increase strength of the engagement between the dispenser part 11 and the brush part 12 and 80 which is one of advantages of the present invention over the prior arts.

The dispenser 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention makes it easy to reload the toothpaste whenever it is needed. FIG. 5 is a view showing reloading toothpaste from a conventional toothpaste tube 50 into the container of the dispenser part 11. Once the container 11 is detached from the brush 12 and 80, the cap 53 of the toothpaste tube is opened and the elongated hub 38 and 38 of the dispenser is inserted into the opening 52 of the toothpaste tube 50. By pulling back the plunger 13, a desired amount of toothpaste is conveniently transferred to the container of the dispenser 11. Optionally, some marks or scales may be made on the wall of the container for amount control. The dispenser is then attached to the brush part 12 and 80 as discussed above with regard to FIG. 4 to use the reloaded fresh toothpaste. In another embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser 11 is equipped with a finger grip at the entrance of the container 18 as shown here to facilitate sliding forward or backward the plunger 13 imposing pushing or pulling pressure to the toothpaste. Furthermore, in case the remains of toothpaste with the channel are concern, cleaning water or detergent can be conveniently taken into the container of the dispenser 18 and pushed into the channel 19 to remove them therefrom, which is another advantage of the present invention.

A brush part 12 of a toothbrush device according to one embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7. The brush 12 is used in combination with the material dispenser 11 and 18 detachably connected thereat. The brush 12 comprises a brush body 15 a, brush neck 15 b and brush head 15 c. It is well understood to the person skilled in the art that the brush neck 15 b may not be present according to the some embodiments of the present invention where shorter length is preferable. It is also well appreciated to the person skilled in the art that the brush body 15 a and the brush neck 15 b may be provided as a one unit rather than two separate sections according to the embodiment of the invention. The brush head 15 c has bristles 17. The brush neck 15 b, if any, is formed integrally with the brush body 15 a and brush head 15 c. A channel 19 delivering toothpaste to the bristles is formed within the brush 12. The channel 19 is extending through the brush body 15 a, brush neck 15 b, and brush head 15 c, and outlet openings formed within the brush head 15 c toward the region of the bristles 17. At the bottom face of the brush 61, internal screw threads 62 are provided which form the beginning part of the channel 19. This is more clearly understood with reference to FIG. 7 which is a longitudinal sectional view of a toothbrush device 12 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, the part of the channel formed in the brush body 15 a includes internal screw threads 62 and a cylindrical conduit 72. The channel 19 is comprised of body section 72, neck section 74 and head section 76. The part of the channel formed in the brush neck 74 is tapered toward the part of the channel formed in the brush head 76. The part of the channel formed in the brush head is diverged into two outlet openings 16 a and 16 b leading to the region of bristles 17. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of openings may vary and it is still within the scope of the present invention. It is also well understood to the person skilled in the art that the brush neck 15 a may not be present and that the brush body 15 a and the brush neck 15 b may be provided as a one unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, the diameter of the part of channel formed in the brush head 76 is smaller than the diameter of the part of channel formed in the brush body 72. And accordingly the part of the channel 74 is adapted to be tapered toward the part of the channel formed in the brush head 76. This will be helpful for tight engagement between the dispenser 11 and the brush 12 and avoidance of leakage of toothpaste from the joint section therebetween. As discussed with reference to FIG. 4, the internal screw threads 62 are adapted to mate with the external thread collar 37, and the diameter of the cylindrical conduit 72 is substantially the same as the diameter of the elongated hub 38. This will prevent the leakage of toothpaste which passes the channel 19 and increase the strength of the engagement between the dispenser part 11 and the brush part 12 which are advantages of the present invention over the prior arts.

Even if the preceding embodiment is described with regard to a toothbrush, it is well appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the inventive idea is applicable to various kinds of brushes including paint brush, oil applying brush, medication applying brush, water dispensing brush, and other liquid material dispensing brushes. For example, an elevational view of a brush part of a paint brush device 80 is shown at FIG. 8 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The paint brush 80 is no different from the toothpaste brush 12 in FIG. 6 except that the appearance of the brush neck 81 is adapted to the shape of the brush head 82 and the bristles 83 which serve the specific requirement of each paint activity.

Thus, brush device for dispensing liquid material by using plumber means has been described. The description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. The various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the inventive faculty. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 

1. A brush device for dispensing fluid material comprising: a dispenser forming a liquid-containing container, said dispenser ejecting fluid material from a container by sliding forward a plunger therein and sucking up fluid material into a container by sliding backward said plunger, said dispenser having a external screw threaded collar and a elongated hub at and toward the opposite side of said plunger; a brush including a brush body and a bristle-carrying brush head, said brush head formed integrally with said brush body and having outlet openings; and a channel delivering said fluid material from said container to said bristles, the channel formed axially extending through said external screw threaded collar and elongated hub of said dispenser, said brush body and head, and outlet openings toward the region of said bristles; wherein the part of said channel formed in said brush body includes internal screw threads and a cylindrical conduit, wherein said internal screw threads is adapted to mate with said external screw threaded collar, and wherein said cylindrical conduit substantially fits with the diameter of said elongated hub.
 2. A brush device as defined in claim 1, wherein said opening has a plurality of apertures.
 3. A brush device as defined in claim 1, wherein said elongated hub substantially fits with the diameter of an opening of separate toothpaste tube.
 4. A brush device as defined in claim 1, wherein said brush is a toothbrush and said fluid material is toothpaste.
 5. A brush device as defined in claim 1, wherein said brush is a paint brush and said fluid material is paint.
 6. A brush device as defined in claim 1, wherein said elongated hub is about 1 centimeter in length.
 7. A brush device for dispensing fluid material comprising: a dispenser forming a liquid-containing container, said dispenser ejecting fluid material from a container by sliding forward a plunger therein and sucking up fluid material into a container by sliding backward said plunger, said dispenser having a external screw threaded collar and a elongated hub at and toward the opposite side of said plunger; a brush including in order a brush body, brush neck, and a bristle-carrying brush head, said brush neck formed integrally with said brush neck and brush head, and said brush head having outlet openings; and a channel delivering said fluid material from said container to said bristles, the channel formed axially extending through said external screw threaded collar and elongated hub of said dispenser, said brush body and brush neck and brush head, and outlet opening toward the region of said bristles; wherein the part of said channel formed in said brush body includes internal screw threads and a cylindrical conduit, wherein said screw threads threadedly mate said external screw threaded collar, wherein said cylindrical conduit substantially fits with the diameter of said elongated hub, and wherein the part of said channel formed in said brush neck being tapered toward the part of said channel formed in said brush head, and the diameter of said part of channel formed in said brush head being smaller than the diameter of said part of channel formed in said brush body.
 8. A brush device as defined in claim 7, wherein said elongated hub substantially fits with the diameter of an opening of a separate toothpaste tube.
 9. A brush device as defined in claim 7, wherein said brush is a toothbrush and said fluid material is toothpaste.
 10. A brush device as defined in claim 7, wherein said brush is a paint brush and said fluid material is paint.
 11. A brush device as defined in claim 7, wherein said elongated hub is about 1 centimeter in length.
 12. A brush which is used in combination with a fluid material dispenser detachably connected thereat, comprising; a brush body; a bristle-carrying brush head, said brush head having outlet openings; a brush neck, said brush neck formed integrally with said brush neck and brush head; and a channel delivering fluid material to said bristles, the channel formed axially extending through said brush body and brush neck and brush head, and outlet opening toward the region of said bristles formed within said brush head; wherein the part of said channel formed in said brush body includes internal screw threads and a cylindrical conduit, and wherein the part of said channel formed in said brush neck being tapered toward the part of said channel formed in said brush head, and the diameter of said part of channel formed in said brush head being smaller than the diameter of said part of channel formed in said brush body.
 13. A brush as defined in claim 12, wherein said brush is a toothbrush and said fluid material is toothpaste.
 14. A brush as defined in claim 12, wherein said brush is a paint brush and said fluid material is paint.
 15. A brush as defined in claim 12, wherein said cylindrical conduit is about 1 centimeter in length. 